India at Paris Olympics 2024 Day 6 Highlights: Swapnil wins brilliant bronze; but Nikhat, Satwik-Chirag, Sindhu bow out on day of heartbreaks

This is the bracket for men's singles. After the day we have seen today, probably best not to look too far ahead, but for what it is worth, this is how Lakshya's path to podium looks like

Paris 2024: As Lakshya Sen reaches quarterfinals, who is he facing next and what kind of match to expect?

Up next for Lakshya could well have been a familiar face. From 2018’s junior batch, four youngsters have transitioned brilliantly to the senior circuit: Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Lakshya, Li Shi Feng and Kodai Naraoka. And the draw had pitted Lakshya on a collision course with Japan’s Naraoka. Instead though, on Friday, the Indian will be up against Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei. From a potential Class of 2018 reunion, it’s a meeting with a much older, cannier alumni.

HOCKEY:
Men's Pool B, India vs Australia: 4.45 pm

Quarterfinals spot is not a concern for Harmanpreet Singh and Co but there is still quite a bit riding on this clash against their nemesis, Kookaburras. India would aim to finish as high as possible.

Men's Singles: Around 6.30 pm
Lakshya Sen

There might have been heartbreak for Satwik-Chirag and HS Prannoy, but at least one member of the 2022 Thomas Cup world champions squad moves on. Lakshya will hope to keep the momentum going.

Men's singles QF, Lakshya Sen vs Chou Tien Chen: Session starts 6.30 pm

India at Olympics 2024 Day 6 Live: PV Sindhu reacts...

"I worked hard and I have no complaints about (the build-up preparation coming to the Paris Olympics). We’ve done whatever we could. I don’t regret it. I don't feel like I haven’t done something. I’ve done everything. Rest is destiny, isn’t it? 

"Next Olympics is still four years away. So for me, I will go back and rest for a bit. Take a break and see what it is. Four years is a very long time, one week at a time. Right now it’s time to go back. I couldn’t give the result I expected. It’s sad. But it’s a journey, isn’t it?"

"She has a good smash. Her defence was really good today. I should have continued playing even more rallies today is what I felt. From my side there were errors sometimes when there were long rallies and points which I could have got, she was just returning the shots. After two or three shots I was hitting them out or making errors."

SHOOTING
25m Pistol Women's Qualification
Precision stage: 12:30 pm IST
Rapid stage: 3.30 pm IST
Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh

Two-time medallist Manu Bhaker is now back for a third event, and one where she won the Olympic quota. She joins Esha Singh, one of Asian Games brightest stars as they look to reach the 25m final.

Also to watch out for: Skeet Men's Qualification - Day 1: 1 pm (Anant Jeet Naruka)

What the formbook suggested, hope subverted. The signs kept pointing to Sindhu not being at her best, but for those who have followed her long enough, it was the belief that big tournament player Sindhu might come to the fore again. But sometimes, the formbook doesn't lie. It's not to be for PV Sindhu in Paris. 

PV SINDHU OUT: The dream of a hat-trick is over. First Olympic Games for PV Sindhu without a medal. First ever time at the Olympics or Worlds that PV Sindhu has lost to a Chinese opponent. All good things come to an end, we suppose. Aug 1 2024, hasn't been kind to India.

MORE SWIMMING

Four medals are at stake in the evening at La Defense Arena including the women's 200 metres butterfly, the men's 200 backstroke and the women's 200 breaststroke.

The marquee event of the day is the women's 4x200 freestyle relay, with the heats in the morning session followed by the final in the evening

The dream is slipping away for PV Sindhu. 

SWIATEK OUT
Iga Swiatek will have to wait four more years to try and win an Olympic gold medal after the Polish top seed was shocked by China's Zheng Qinwen in the tennis semi-finals.

BASKETBALL
Reigning champions the United States crashed to a third straight defeat in the women's 3x3 basketball pool stage, going down 17-15 to Australia.

BOXING
Algerian Imane Khelif's much-hyped Paris Olympics welterweight fight against Angela Carini in the round of 16 lasted 46 seconds after the Italian had to stop following a powerful punch to the nose. The 25-year-old Khelif has been in the spotlight since being disqualified before a gold medal match at the 2023 World Championships for failing International Boxing Association (IBA) eligibility rules that prevent athletes with XY chromosomes competing in women's events.

MARVELLOUS MARCHAND
France's Olympic star Leon Marchand won an unprecedented two finals on the same night in the pool on Wednesday, securing his status as France's face of the Games.

Mihir Vasavda: On opposite sides of two courts, Rio Olympics finalists eyeing a comeback from one game down. Marin looks in control now, Sindhu not so much.

It is not going Sindhu's way in the 2nd game... she needed that first game to go her way really.

An absolutely stunning rally goes the way of He Bing Jiao and the Chinese left-hander takes the opening game 21-19. 

While PV Sindhu and HBJ are locked at 19-19...

India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh always knew the Paris Olympics would be his last major tournament after an illustrious 18-year career and a final chance to win Olympic gold. India broke a 41-year medal drought in men's Olympic hockey with bronze in Tokyo three years ago and their veteran team is seeking inspiration from their stalwart keeper to get that elusive ninth gold medal. Sreejesh is a crowd favourite and he kept flashing smiles at fans leaning over the railings, screaming his name as he walked to the locker room after a narrow 2-1 loss to reigning champions Belgium on Thursday.
"After conceding a goal, it's a frustrating time for a goalkeeper. But what is next is more important, because what happened, you cannot change. And what is going to happen, now that's in your hands," Shreejesh told Reuters. His skills were on full display as he denied a Belgian attack that dismantled the third-ranked Australian side under the lights at the Yves-du-Manoir stadium, north of the capital.

(Reuters)

If you are wondering about the H2H between PV Sindhu and He Bing Jiao... it's 11-9 for HBJ and their rivalry goes as far back as 2015.

After a sluggish start, she is starting to find a better rhythm.

Southpaw He Bingjiao, is a fascinating character. A multiple Tour title winner, she was at India Open in 2023, and in the mixed zone where interviews happen, she asked if she might try answering questions in English, soon after wrapping up a straight sets Round 1 win. And gleefully waded into her various adventures in India. “What I really like is those two-wheeler tuk-tuk. Motorbikes. There was a row of them at my hotel, so I enjoyed a ride,” she said. “And they are also so convenient to go back to the hotel.” She would also ask the sprinkling of reporters recommendations for what she should try in Indian cuisine.

Read more here by Shivani Naik.

Mihir is at the venue to watch this: The match is held up because of flash photography. Volunteers trying to spot who the culprit is. Chair umpire was just about to introduce players when an official stopped her. Good to go now, In the stands, indian fans have outnumbered their Chinese counterparts.

Sindhu has a streak to protect. She has never lost a match against Chinese shuttlers at the Olympic Games or World Championships. PV Sindhu takes guard. India's two-time Olympic medallist faces the toughest challenge of her third Olympic Games. He Bing Jiao in front of her. 

(Men's) 25th overall: Vishnu Saravanan finished 10th and 34th in the first 2 races of Sailing Men's Dinghy, for a total of 44 points (Combined total of the positions where a racer finishes at. First = 1 point)

(Women's) Nethra Kumanan is 6th after only race took place today due to weather, so she has 6 points. Boats ranked 1st - 10th in the Opening Series progress to the Medal Race.

Swapnil’s bronze in the men’s 3P is historic in more ways than one.

• It is the first time ever that India has won three medals at a single Olympics in any sport.
• It is also the first time ever that any Indian has won an Olympic medal in 3P, considered the most gruelling among the Rifle and Pistol events. 
• Swapnil also becomes only the third Indian to win a medal in Rifle events after Abhinav Bindra’s famous Air Rifle gold in Beijing and Gagan Narang’s bronze in the same event four years later in Beijing.
•  Finally, this bronze also reinstates Shooting’s position as India’s most successful Olympic sport after Hockey and certainly the most successful individual Olympic sport ever with a tally of one gold, one silver and five bronze medals won within a space of 20 years beginning with Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore’s silver in Double Trap at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games.   

(via NRAI)

Soon after her bout, Nikhat’s mind was a web of different, colliding emotions.

The boxer’s ego was bruised, having to acknowledge she lost to a better opponent. She harboured a feeling of injustice that she was handed a rough draw, where she also had to compete in an extra bout compared to Wu Yu. There was a sense of longing to spend time with her parents, nephew and niece. Tired and hungry, too, after going two days without eating to maintain her weight.

Mihir Vasavda writes from Paris

So turns out, PV Sindhu is playing He Bing Jiao at Paris 2024 round of 16, exactly three years after beating He Bing Jiao for a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020.

Earlier today, PTI reported that Indian golfer Diksha Dagar, who is due to take part in the the Olympics, was involved in an accident but is doing fine and will compete in her event as planned. The Dagar family -- Diksha, her father and caddie Col Naren Dagar, her mother and brother -- were in the car, which was hit by another vehicle on Tuesday night while they were returning from a function at India House.

Here's a statement from India Golf Union:

The Indian Golf Union will like to confirm that women’s golfer Diksha Dagar, who is scheduled to compete in the individual stroke play event in the Paris Olympic Games from August 7-10, is safe along with her family including father Col. Narinder Dagar, brother and mother after their car was hit by another vehicle in Paris city on the intervening night of July 30-31. The golfer will be competing in the Olympics as per schedule.

“We spoke to Diksha’s father Col. Dagar after the accident and would like to confirm that the family is safe. Diksha’s mother has suffered a stress in her spine due to the impact and is under medical supervision and her brother is also safe and sound. On behalf of the Indian Golf Union I would like to reiterate that we are in continuous touch with the family and will continue to provide whatever support possible in this situation. I am happy that a talent like Diksha will be representing the country for the second time in the Olympics as per schedule. On behalf of IGU and the golfing fraternity and fans, I wish her good luck for a memorable performance,” said Brijinder Singh, President of the Indian Golf Union.

Despite the 2-1 defeat to Belgium, it was India's best performance in the campaign

If any positives can be taken from a loss, India can leave with their heads held high despite a 1-2 reversal against defending men’s hockey champions Belgium at the Paris Olympics on Thursday, writes Tushar Bhaduri. 

Strangley enough, we feel alright about India after the Belgium defeat than we did after the draw against Argentina or the wins against New Zealand and Ireland. Sports is just silly sometimes.

Kodai Naraoka beaten by Chou Tien Chen. Li Shi Feng beaten by Loh Kean Yew. Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Lakshya Sen the last 2 men standing from the Class of 2018... (the group of four shuttlers who graduated from that batch into the senior circuit.

We know now all 8 quarterfinalists in Men's Hockey... but not the order of where they will finish. On Friday, a massive match for India against their nemesis Australia. Will they be able to leapfrog Australia? Or will Argentina (who face Belgium) go past India. 

Who is Leon Marchand?

France's Leon Marchand not just won two golds in the pool at the La Défense Arena on Wednesday, he won them in the space of two hours. Thanks to him winning his second and third golds at Paris 2024, the host nation rose to second spot in the Paris Olympics standings at the end of Day 5.

So who is Leon Marchand? He's an athlete who is coached by Michael Phelps’s former mentor Bob Bowman. And both his parents are Olympians. 

All you need to know

Gaganjeet Bhullar had a forgettable start to his Olympic campaign, carding a 4-over par round of 75 at Le Golf National course at the Paris Olympics. With the opening round still going on, the golfer from Kapurthala is tied 56^th. Compatriot Shubhankar Sharma was faring relatively better, being 2-under par after 14 holes. Japan's Hideki Matsuyama is setting the early pace at 8-under par. 

Tushar Bhaduri

...there is sailing and men's golf going on right now. We will update the final standings of the day once the events are done. 

But stick around, there is another match coming up at 10pm, with PV Sindhu taking on He Bing Jiao.

The storm brewing over the participation of Algeria boxer Imane Khelif at the Paris Olympics overshadowed the sixth day of the women's competition on Thursday when defending welterweight champion Busenaz Surmeneli of Turkey got off to a winning start.
Khelif, who has been in the spotlight for failing a gender eligibility test at a tournament last year, progressed to the welterweight quarter-finals after Italian opponent Angela Carini abandoned the bout after 46 seconds.

Carini later explained that she had decided not to fight after feeling intense pain in her nose. Khelif will next face either Hungarian Luca Anna Hamori or Australia's Marissa Williamson in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Surmeneli, who clinched Turkey's first ever boxing gold in Tokyo, is one fight away from ensuring another medal after her 4-1 win over Poland's Aneta Rygielska. The European Games and twice world champion had a poor second round, but clinched the win after finishing ahead on every judge's scorecard in the third round.

v

In most pre-Games medal predictions, three very highly expected medals were Satwik-Chirag, Nikhat Zareen and one in 50m 3P women (Sift mostly). All three bowed out today from the Games.

So, Lakshya Sen's next opponent is Chou Tien Chen, Chinese Taipei's veteran. Here's how the H2H looks between the two, with Lakshya trailing 1-3.

Not to be for HSP, but Lakshya Sen marches on: A subdued contest all said and done. Prannoy, who hasn't been in the best physical shape recent time anyway, just didn't have the necessary firepower to trouble Lakshya Sen. Prannoy's belated debut at the Olympic Games comes to an end, but Lakshya looked solid if not spectacular today. Lakshya will next face Chou Tien Chen, Taipei's veteran next. CTC stunned Kodai Naraoka. 

Shivani Naik: This heat is adding unneeded sheen to this contest. Flags used to fan themselves in the audience. But Lakshya Sen in control of the match against HS Prannoy. Does the older Indian have one giant come-from-behind fight? It's his middle name HS CFBF Prannoy. But it's looking tough. Sen sticking to straight hits largely on a lulling pace. Not needing the expansive cross game that much.

Lakshya Sen leads 21-12, 21-3. Prannoy is looking out of sorts. 

Iga Swiatek is beaten at Roland Garros.

Iga Swiatek lost to Zheng Qinwen of China 6-2, 7-5 in the Paris Olympics semifinals Thursday, a surprising setback for the No. 1-ranked woman and champion at the French Open four of the past five years.The result was hard to predict for several reasons. Swiatek entered the day with a 6-0 edge in their head-to-head matchups. She has led the WTA rankings for nearly every week since April 2022, while Zheng is No. 7. Plus, just when Swiatek appeared to be getting back into the match with a 4-0 lead in the second set, she faltered.The really stunning part? Swiatek is as good as it gets on red clay and at this particular place. The 23-year-old from Poland has been dominant at Roland Garros, the facility used for the annual French Open and the site for tennis during these Summer Games.

(AP)

Game 1, Lakshya Sen: The youngster leads all the way from start to finish. HSP a bit passive early on. Couldn't catch up. 

Lakshya Sen off to a good start, leading 7-4. A reminder, that typically in all-India clashes, we see no coaching support. And that is the case today as well, even though both Prannoy and Lakshya have different coaching setups. 

France's Olympic star Marchand completed an unprecedented 200 metres breaststroke and butterfly double on Wednesday, winning his third gold of the Paris Games and raising the roof at a rocking La Defense Arena.

Soh Wooi Yik came to the party keeping his cool. And the insane service variations, real and the dread of them, incited proper harakiri amongst Indians. The former World champions are feared for this reason. They can drag opponents into their whirl of a flat-fast game. It needed calmer nerves, Indians couldn't get themselves out of Aaron Chia's trap. And Soh Wooi Yik's taps. The taller Malaysian played like... for want of a better comparison... like Chirag Shetty. 
Sadly for India, Chirag didn't play like Chirag. Hearts break

There will be an Indian winner. There will be an Indian loser. This is bound to be bittersweet. 

A note from Shivani Naik earlier in the day.

The Kodai Naraoka Wipe Out-obstacle is out of the path for India's men's singles shuttlers. He has been taken out by Taipei's Chou Tien Chen, 21-12, 21-16. Chen survived a tumour removal to return to badminton, last year.

He is the only Mens singles player with a female coach + trainer + motivator.

Chen leads Sen 3-1, but they last played in June 2023. The last one was a close three-setter, waiting to be flipped.

He is 7-6 up on HS Prannoy who hasn't found him particularly challenging in recent months. 

But this is the Olympics. Past history is waiting to be reversed all the time.

SATCHI BOW OUT: Paris... the city of so many important wins in their career... bears witness to a heartbreak. Satwik-Chirag took the lead but defeated in 3 games by Chia-Soh, former world champs. This will sting. For them, for us.

The Malaysians are ahead 18-16 in the decider, this is getting out of India's hands.

National record holder Priyanka Goswami finished 41st in the women's 20km competition while Vikash Singh and Paramjeet Singh ended at 30th and 37th positions respectively in the men's event as Indian race walkers produced a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics.

Nervy nervy lead of 11-10 in decider. It's going to boil down to Indians believing, knowing they can win this staying calm. They have the better attack. But it's nervy. The flatter game is a trap. Indians need to flee it.

So tight!

11-9 for Satwik-Chirag at the final change of ends. The start to the decider was a little worrying but they have kept at it. Deep breaths.

Indian archer Pravin Jadhav bowed out of the Paris Olympics after losing his individual men's recurve opening round clash in straight sets to Kao Wenchao of China here on Thursday. Jaadhav lost 0-6 (28-29 29-30 27-28) in the round of 64. Even though Jadhav shot as many as four 10s through the course of the match, the Chinese archer managed to pip the Indian by a point in each of the three sets. With Jadhav's loss, India's campaign in the men's individual event ended as veteran Tarundeep Rai and Dhiraj Boomadevara lost their respective knockout match earlier this week. The seasoned Deepika Kumari and 18-year-old Bhajan Kaur still remain in contention in the women's individual event and will be in action in the pre-quarterfinals on Saturday. The Indian men's and women's teams had made quarterfinal exits earlier in the tournament. 

(via PTI)

Chirag likely needs to stand a little further at the net because both Malaysian serves are getting tougher. Aaron trying too hard and can get a few faults but he's varying it beautifully. Malaysians have had the advantage on first four shots. Take it 21-14

Decider is upon us.

The cut off in Paris went at 589 with Anjum Moudgil finishing at the 18th spot with 584 while Sift Kaur Samra finished 31st with score of 575.

Aaron Chia getting his flat faster game going. Satwik will need to bring his big boom attack. Roll in the cannons. Respond to Chirag's "Maar"-say.  Or Chirag could go. It's funny how Satwik leaps instinctively like a shadow. But Soh Wooi Yik is playing it smart here, forcing reluctant lifts for him to smash.  Chirag still seeing the gaps bigly, but Aaron-Soh take the 11-10 lead. This side is looking tricky for Indians. Satwik can't be circumspect.

Shivani Naik

Sift Kaur Samra finishes with a qualification score of 575. The kneeling stage saw her  193 before she tried for a comeback with a prone stage of 195. But a poor 187 in standing series sees Samra now at the penultimate spot in qualification. In comparison, Sift had broken the Asian Games qualification record with a score of 594 in last year Asian Games in Hangzhou. She then had claimed the title with the then world record score of 469.6 and the difference between her and second placed Qiongyue Zhang was 7.3 points.

Nitin Sharma